Free Web NovelChapter 706: Chapter 389: What Else Can Be Done?
Dai Tianqing was seething with envy, almost to the point of vomiting blood.
Having only participated in the validation process and making a minor contribution to the research, he received a token reward of three thousand yuan – just over a month’s salary. With a sour tone, he said, "Zhang Wei, you were my protégé. Look at you now, with achievements and money..."
"Thank you, Director Dai!"
Zhang Wei responded politely.
Dai Tianqing was left speechless by her thank you, turning green with envy in the corner.
Ai Lixin was in more pain. His bonus was higher than Dai Tianqing’s, but as a member of Zhao Yi’s lab and being assigned to Han Hui’s team, he had missed out on a million.
With frustration, he complained to Yan Xuelin, "Director Yan, next time there’s a research project, I want to be in Zhao Yi’s team. We’re in the same lab originally."
"I want to be in Zhao Yi’s team too."
Wearing a joyous smile, Li Ming immediately interjected upon hearing Ai Lixin’s words, "Director Yan, can I transfer to Zhao Yi’s lab? My current lab can be given to others! Brother Ai would be perfect. He’s older, recently promoted to the research institute, so he should have his own lab."
"I’m already in Zhao Yi’s lab!" Ai Lixin spat out through gritted teeth.
Dai Tianqing weakly raised his hand, "Director Yan, I also want to move to Zhao Yi’s lab..."
"..."
The chatter continued amongst the group. ƒrēewebnovel.com
Yan Xuelin could only helplessly shake his head and smile bitterly. Accomplishing significant results and receiving substantial funding and patent fees from pharmaceutical companies were indeed good news. The Institute could foresee unlimited potential without worrying about funding for several years, even a decade. However, it was a real headache when all the researchers wanted to join Zhao Yi’s lab.
He had no choice but to reject them all.
Zhao Yi reacted complacently, "At the moment, our lab doesn’t need more people. Perhaps in the future...we’ll have opportunities..."
But, of course, there would be no opportunities in the future.
While associate researchers of lower ranking could have the chance to work in Zhao Yi’s lab, senior researchers wouldn’t have the opportunity. They were of the same rank as Zhao Yi, had their own labs, and several or even dozens of subordinates under them. It wasn’t feasible for them to abandon their labs to join another.
Ai Lixin was the exception.
He was promoted whilst in Zhao Yi’s lab; the Institute didn’t have any spare labs for him. Therefore, he had to continue working in Zhao Yi’s lab. However, with the upcoming construction of the Medical Science Center, there would be no shortage of labs, and his departure was simply a matter of time.
Moreover, Zhao Yi’s lab genuinely didn’t need any extra hands.
Zhao Yi didn’t have teaching duties at the School of Life Sciences, so he didn’t need to invest time and energy in mentoring students. With two researchers in his lab, plus Zhang Wei, Liu Chengjie, and Yan Yi, they could apply for sizeable projects. One could imagine a swarm of help rallying around when a shortage of manpower became a problem.
"Such is the gap!"
A few researchers regretted not assisting when Zhao Yi’s lab was established. Even if they couldn’t join themselves, sending their associate researchers there would at least earn them some good graces.
Dai Tianqing might have some good graces left, but he was still sour and exasperated.
Zhang Wei and Ai Lixin both came from his lab.
Ai Lixin had been promoted to researcher.
Zhang Wei was a young woman who had been singled out and praised by Zhu Hong. Her future achievements were limitless, and it seemed she and Ai Lixin were both set to surpass him.
"The new wave pushes the old wave forward, and the old wave dies on the shore."
"Sigh..."
All he was left with was a deep sigh of regret.
...
The confidential research concluded.
Security personnel withdrew from the entrance of the Biomedical Research Institute, and personnel began to freely enter and exit.
Many Institute staff left at the first opportunity, either to breathe in a few more lungfuls of fresh air or to hastily return home.
Zhao Yi did the same.
The atmosphere inside the Institute was anything but pleasant after being cooped up for so long. He walked around the campus sports field, treated himself to a big meal at a restaurant outside, and even phoned Lin Xiaoqing to pick her up from the Political and Law University for a stroll around the city. This little getaway felt like a date.
Usually, window-shopping felt mundane, only enjoyable to Lin Xiaoqing. Zhao Yi would accompany her solely because she liked it. However, on this occasion, he took the initiative to visit various shops and surprisingly found amusement in it.
The pair spent a pleasant day strolling around, dining, then returning to Lin’s dorm. They enjoyed a quiet weekend together.
For quite some time afterward, Zhao Yi lived a leisurely life. He didn’t go to the Biomedical Research Institute nor the School of Sciences’ office building. Instead, he attended classes like an ordinary student, occasionally went to his dormitory, but mostly stayed in the student dormitory.
Meanwhile
Impact of the confidential research remained.
Many people at the University were still discussing the Biomedical Research Institute’s confidential research.
Everyone loved gossip.
Although confidentiality was stressed for this research, everyone would talk about it privately, more so among the School of Science community because it involved Zhao Yi. Hu Zhibin was definitely one for gossip. In a hushed tone, he told his office colleagues, Zhou Li, and female teacher Meng Ruohua, "I heard that the Medical Institute researched something extraordinary. I saw that female researcher from Zhao Yi’s lab, what was her name, Zhang Wei? She walked into work full of beans, skipping around like a little girl."
"But she seemed pretty demure before?"
Hu Zhibin expressed his confusion.
Zhou Li asked, "I know Zhang Wei, but what does her happiness have to do with research? Maybe she found a boyfriend?"
"She’s single!" Hu Zhibin was confident of this.
"How do you know?"
"Right?" Meng Ruohua also chimed in.
"I...uh...well...ha-ha, just what I heard, heard...was chatting with someone from the Medical Institute. They said Zhang Wei has been declining boyfriends, and they whispered..." Hu Zhibin suddenly lowered his voice, "that she might be into Zhao Yi."
"Psh!"
"Boring, right!"
Meng Ruohua also curled her lip, saying, "Which single teacher within the school doesn’t like Zhao Yi? Not just the teaching staff, students all adore him. He’s young, lively, and academic brilliance, he’s as good as a celebrity on screen..."
Hu Zhibin emphasized discontentedly, "I meant that kind of liking!"
"I know that."
Zhou Li coughed slightly, "I’m telling you guys, stop being gossipy, especially you, Old Hu. As someone getting on in years, how come you’re like a woman..."
"Gossipy, what? Just gossiping." Hu Zhibin quickly retorted, "I was just chatting with you guys since we’re so close. I wouldn’t say this to anyone else."
"I’m sure you’ve said this to a lot of people." Meng Ruohua replied seriously.
Hit straight to the soul!
"..."
Hu Zhibin, finding himself lost for words, quickly changed the subject, "So, what exactly have you guys at the medical research institute been researching? Why the secrecy?"
"Must be some sort of medical technology, right?"
Zhou Li shook his head, "Medical research is different from mathematical research. Many medical breakthroughs are related to application, in other words, patents. These all have high economic value."
"True."
Hu Zhibin continued, "However, no matter how remarkable the medical institute research is, it’s just a technology. Our mathematics is theory-based, and it’s the theory that supports the technology. So, in the end, it’s the theory that matters most!"
"Old Hu, while what you’re saying is indeed true." Meng Ruohua acknowledged Hu Zhibin’s point first, then continued, "But have you ever produced any academic theories of value?"
"..."
Hu Zhibin let out a frustrated sigh, feeling the urge to vomit blood, he responded sorrowfully, "Auntie Meng, Cousin Meng! Miss Meng! Could you please be a little less blunt!"
Meng Ruohua’s expression darkened upon hearing this.
Even though she wasn’t particularly young anymore, she was still younger than Hu Zhibin, so how did she suddenly become "Miss Meng"?
Miss Meng?
I don’t like monks!
Hu Zhibin, thinking his words had cheered Meng Ruohua up, continued, "Where was I? Right, it’s the mathematics that matters most. And besides, no matter how advanced the medical institute research is, how far can it go? Compared worldwide, compared to mathematics, Zhao Yi definitely can’t catch up."
What he meant was ’Zhao Yi’s achievements in medical research definitely can’t rival his achievements in mathematics’.
This time, both Zhou Li and Meng Ruohua nodded in agreement.
The Biomedical Research Institute’s findings mostly influence the domestic scene, rarely causing a worldwide stir.
For example, Zhao Yi’s laboratory’s research on the Azura virus was recognised by the global medical community, and one of their researchers, Ai Lixin, even went to Europe to present their findings at an AIDS conference, which was later reported by domestic TV broadcasters.
These achievements may sound impressive, but they were nothing when compared to Zhao Yi’s mathematical accomplishments.
If Zhao Yi were to attend more world-class mathematics conferences, he’d be on the podium each time, always receiving thunderous applause and recognition from the world.
The two are worlds apart.
Zhou Li shook his head, "Talking about this is pointless, we should focus on the Particle Mathematics Centre."
"Yes!"
"Let the dean go and probe a bit, we can just probe Zhao Yi’s thoughts ...."
...
Finding Zhao Yi was easy for people in the School of Sciences, but having a serious conversation with him about the Particle Mathematics Centre was incredibly difficult because Zhao Yi always seemed to be busy.
For instance, teaching a class. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
Or playing soccer.
Or gaming!
Otherwise, he’s writing academic papers or reports, or conducting research on particle mathematics. He seemed to always be doing something, especially when encountering people from the School of Sciences - he’d certainly be busy with his own affairs.
Obviously, this was intentional.
Zhao Yi wanted to avoid discussing the topic of the Particle Mathematics Research Centre. He was definitely not interested in being the ’Centre Director’ and being responsible for countless mysterious tasks.
Once, he even said, "I’m preparing for exams, I have finals next week!"
For goodness’ sake, even without studying, you’d still score full marks!
Dean Zhou Zhengbin, who came to find Zhao Yi, nearly choked on his own saliva. Realizing that Zhao Yi truly didn’t want to talk, he reluctantly changed the subject, "How are your particle theory classes going? They start this week, right?"
"Yes."
Zhao Yi didn’t mind discussing this, "Tomorrow evening, in the large lecture hall of the graduate school building."
"The large lecture hall suits you."
Zhou Zhengbin nodded and continued, "The particle theory course is indeed important, it guides students’ interests, and passes on your theories. But the mathematics research center..."
Zhao Yi suddenly picked up his phone, "Sorry," he pointed at the phone saying a few words, appearing to be very busy and left.
Zhou Zhengbin could do nothing about it. He felt that he might as well give up early, the attitude Zhao Yi showed really seemed like he didn’t want to take charge of the Particle Mathematics Research Centre operations.
What is one to do then?
The Department of Science and Technology said that letting Zhao Yi abandon biomedical research would be tantamount to reeling off nonsense. As Zhao Yi was unwilling to personally take charge, there was no reason for the Department of Science and Technology to support Yanhua University in establishing a Particle Mathematics Research Center.
"Sigh..."
All Zhou Zhengbin could do was heave a long sigh.
